On Saturday 22nd February the grand opening night of Lislea Drama Festival took place to a packed house in the OLD SCHOOL HOUSE THEATRE LISLEA. The platform party consisted of the Festival President Mr Joe Murphy, Festival Chairperson Mr. Liam Hannaway, Lislea Community Association Chairperson Mr. Sean Cunningham, Adjudicator Biddy White Lennon A.D.A and the festival Sponsor Gillian Strain, Aidan Strain Electrical Engineering.

D.A.D.S newcomers to Lislea, all the way from Dunmore, Co. Galway gave their portrayal of “On Such As We” by Billy Roche on the opening night. The festival chairperson Mr. Liam Hannaway extended a warm welcome to this group who gave an eagerly awaited performance and one which didn’t disappoint. He also thanked the festival sponsor for their third year sponsoring the festival. He also paid tribute to Paul Tierney who was Vice President of the drama festival who is sadly missed and long remembered.

On Sunday, Lislea welcomed Stagefright Theatre Company, from Omagh, Co. Tyrone with “Nightmare” by Norman Robbins. This ingenious thriller was very well received by patrons and completed a very successful first weekend of theatre.

On Wednesday 26th February it is the turn of our very own Lislea Dramatic Players (Third place Confined 2013 All Ireland Finals) with their production of ‘The Odd Couple’ by Neil Simon. This hilarious comedy centres on Felix and Oscar – the ultimate odd couple! Two mismatched friends whose polar opposite lifestyles lead to conflict and comedy whilst living under one roof. Aren’t love, trust and friendship more important than meatloaf? Will they cope or will they kill?

On Saturday 1st March it is the welcome return of Kilrush Drama Group, Co. Wexford (2013 Confined All-Ireland Finalists) with “The Cavalcaders” by Billy Roche. This play is set in a small town cobbler’s shop, four shoe-makers make the mundane marvellous as they transform themselves nightly into The Cavalcaders, a singing quartet that prides itself on harmony, comic patter and romantic sentiment. The Cavalcaders is a wistful memory play, blending music and comedy with a brutally honest depiction of emotional warfare and personal betrayal, as we witness the group, and particularly its leader Terry, disintegrate before our very eyes.

This packed first week ends with Schull Drama Group, Co. Cork and their production of “Buried Child” by Sam Shepard on Sunday 2nd March. This is the 1979 Pulitzer Prize winning play, a story of a dysfunctional American Midwest family corrupted by a long ‘buried’ secret. This is a dark surreal comedy which explores family dynamics, physical and mental anguish, incest and murder. Please note that this play contains adult themes and so is not suitable for children.

Curtain up at 8pm sharp. Tickets are on sale nightly at the Box Office from 7-8 pm. Nightly Admission £6 Children £3 General Enquiries Tel 028 30838565